Khartoum (AFP) - Shelling killed a four-year-old girl and an Ethiopian peacekeeper in the disputed Abyei region between Sudan and South Sudan, the United Nations mission said Friday.
Abyei has been contested since Sudan split into two countries in 2011 and there have been tensions between the Arab Misseriya and Ngok Dinka peoples in the region.
In Thursday's attack, seven shells were fired, five of which landed near the home of the Ngok Dinka chief and one inside the residence's compound, said UNISFA, the United Nations interim security force for Abyei.
"The incident resulted in the death of one Ethiopian military officer and a four-year-old girl from the local community. Three other locals were wounded."
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the attack and said those responsible should be brought to justice.
The UN chief urged Sudan and South Sudan to help the mission promote dialogue between the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya.
"He calls on both communities to remain calm and avoid any escalation of this tragic incident," a spokesman said.
The mission said it had placed several units in the area on high alert.
UNISFA warned the attack could lead to further violence, labelling it the work of "anti-peace elements who do not want to see peace return to Abyei".
It was not possible to reach the Sudanese military for comment, and the South Sudanese army said they had no information about the shelling.
South Sudan split from Sudan in 2011 under a peace deal signed to end 22 years of bloody civil war in the country.
Newer articles:
- Sudan-South Sudan rematch Tuesday in Cecafa quarterfinals - 29/11/2015 00:03
- South Sudan : UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemns attack in border town, exiled leaders return in hopes for peace - 28/11/2015 11:39
- S. Sudan's exiled leaders return in hopes for peace - 27/11/2015 23:41
- South Sudan president vows commitment to peace deal amid fears of collapse - 27/11/2015 22:18
- Pope holds private meeting with president of warring South Sudan - 27/11/2015 13:11
Older news items
- 16,000 children in South Sudan forced into conflict this year: UN - 27/11/2015 08:42
- South Sudan reach Cecafa Cup quarter-finals - 27/11/2015 08:40
- South Sudan Monitoring Group Says Peace Enactment Is Too Slow - 27/11/2015 08:06
- UN: 2 Killed in Border Town Between South Sudan and Sudan - 27/11/2015 07:34
- South Sudan food team finds risk of "widespread catastrophe" - 27/11/2015 00:24
Latest news items (all categories):
- South Sudan vows probe after two Ethiopian peacekeepers killed in Jonglei ambush; Ethiopia, UN and Egypt condemn attack - 26/08/2026 13:06
- Dozens killed in rebel attacks on Sudan’s Kordofan, medical group says - 26/08/2026 13:03
- The truth about the South Sudanese vice president being prevented from travelling to Kenya - 26/08/2026 13:01
- WHO Regional Office Country Focus Coordinator visits South Sudan to strengthen health sector support - 26/08/2026 12:58
- South Sudanese Catholic Bishop Presents Women’s Leadership as Alternative Ahead of First-Ever General Election - 26/08/2026 12:56
Random articles (all categories):
- Yambio youth leaders want bigger role as peace ambassadors in their communities - 27/08/2020 17:30
- Asylum, Afrobasket and opportunity: South Sudanese-Australian basketball deserves a fair go - 22/06/2020 22:56
- World Bank grants South Sudan 40 mln USD for social protection amid COVID-19 pandemic - 01/05/2020 07:00
- South Sudan peace deal attempt fails as Kiir rejects Machar - 22/06/2018 02:05
- South Sudan denies using oil money to fund ongoing civil war - 06/03/2018 22:58
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 148897 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 28002 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 25084 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 24393 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 22338 times
